French road trip plans
Discussion
I spent Monday and Tuesday in France this week ,trying to avoid toll road driving ,all I will say is that don't under estimate
the time needed to drive on the French minor roads, 30 MPH in villages should be adhered to rigorously.
I went Calais ,Mulhouse ,Beaune ,Dijon Prenois ,Nuit St Georges ,Calais.
Only final section of that on toll roads to make sure I wasn't late at the port.
Minor D roads are fun though ,especially when you have a Ferrari BB512 chasing after you.....
the time needed to drive on the French minor roads, 30 MPH in villages should be adhered to rigorously.
I went Calais ,Mulhouse ,Beaune ,Dijon Prenois ,Nuit St Georges ,Calais.
Only final section of that on toll roads to make sure I wasn't late at the port.
Minor D roads are fun though ,especially when you have a Ferrari BB512 chasing after you.....
Hi,
I'm French and used to live in the Vosges region and now living in Grenoble.
Are you doing your trip with the tuscan? If you're looking for nice twisty driving roads I can help since I used to drive my taimar around both of these regions quite a lot.
When will be your trip in summer? If you fancy you can send me the screenshots of the planned route around these two regions (I didn't manage to open them to figure out the roads you planned...)
I'm French and used to live in the Vosges region and now living in Grenoble.
Are you doing your trip with the tuscan? If you're looking for nice twisty driving roads I can help since I used to drive my taimar around both of these regions quite a lot.
When will be your trip in summer? If you fancy you can send me the screenshots of the planned route around these two regions (I didn't manage to open them to figure out the roads you planned...)
clemoug said:
Hi,
I'm French and used to live in the Vosges region and now living in Grenoble.
Are you doing your trip with the tuscan? If you're looking for nice twisty driving roads I can help since I used to drive my taimar around both of these regions quite a lot.
When will be your trip in summer? If you fancy you can send me the screenshots of the planned route around these two regions (I didn't manage to open them to figure out the roads you planned...)
Thanks Clemoug. Not taking the Tuscan this year but are still looking for some nice twisty roads. Any route suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Trip so far is about 2600 miles. Plan to take Tuscan next year. I'm leaving the UK on Sunday 3rd May. Rather than screenshots I have added links to Google Maps. I'm French and used to live in the Vosges region and now living in Grenoble.
Are you doing your trip with the tuscan? If you're looking for nice twisty driving roads I can help since I used to drive my taimar around both of these regions quite a lot.
When will be your trip in summer? If you fancy you can send me the screenshots of the planned route around these two regions (I didn't manage to open them to figure out the roads you planned...)
Circuit de Reims-Gueux ?D996 ? Vosges
Reims to Vosges
Monaco ? Alps, plan to continue along the D64, head down the D900 then D902 which is where my hotel is. Pass is closed until the 1st June. I cannot plot the route using Google Maps until Pass open.
Alps
Edited by RedRose123 on Saturday 26th May 14:23
Edited by RedRose123 on Saturday 26th May 14:25
I would advise you to use this kind of map which I think is much more user friendly
https://www.viamichelin.fr/ then zoom in some place in france and it appears on the right of your screen "retrouvez la carte michelin" where you can clic and have a proper michelin map.
for the part after epinal, I changed a bit to give you much better sceneries and nicer roads, but i's quite a longer way.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
and if you have a bit more time, this one is woth the extra road
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
it goes towards Colmar (very cute old center town) and then take the "route des vins" (wine's road if I try any translation), the road going through wineyards, crossing very cute villages like Eguisheim (I think ranked among the prettiest village in France if I'm not wrong) or Gueberschwihr, all with very particular architecture typical from Elsass and you can visit some wine producers (very famous white wine in the region). Perhaps at this season you might see some storks. This region is lovely at this season.
the second part in the alps, I would need the previous step to help you. The one you sent is too much in the south of France, I don't really know the places there. I'm located more in Grenoble area.
I hope this wil give you some ideas...
ps: do you have a phone running android?
https://www.viamichelin.fr/ then zoom in some place in france and it appears on the right of your screen "retrouvez la carte michelin" where you can clic and have a proper michelin map.
for the part after epinal, I changed a bit to give you much better sceneries and nicer roads, but i's quite a longer way.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
and if you have a bit more time, this one is woth the extra road
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
it goes towards Colmar (very cute old center town) and then take the "route des vins" (wine's road if I try any translation), the road going through wineyards, crossing very cute villages like Eguisheim (I think ranked among the prettiest village in France if I'm not wrong) or Gueberschwihr, all with very particular architecture typical from Elsass and you can visit some wine producers (very famous white wine in the region). Perhaps at this season you might see some storks. This region is lovely at this season.
the second part in the alps, I would need the previous step to help you. The one you sent is too much in the south of France, I don't really know the places there. I'm located more in Grenoble area.
I hope this wil give you some ideas...
ps: do you have a phone running android?
clemoug said:
I would advise you to use this kind of map which I think is much more user friendly
https://www.viamichelin.fr/ then zoom in some place in france and it appears on the right of your screen "retrouvez la carte michelin" where you can clic and have a proper michelin map.
for the part after epinal, I changed a bit to give you much better sceneries and nicer roads, but i's quite a longer way.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
and if you have a bit more time, this one is woth the extra road
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
it goes towards Colmar (very cute old center town) and then take the "route des vins" (wine's road if I try any translation), the road going through wineyards, crossing very cute villages like Eguisheim (I think ranked among the prettiest village in France if I'm not wrong) or Gueberschwihr, all with very particular architecture typical from Elsass and you can visit some wine producers (very famous white wine in the region). Perhaps at this season you might see some storks. This region is lovely at this season.
the second part in the alps, I would need the previous step to help you. The one you sent is too much in the south of France, I don't really know the places there. I'm located more in Grenoble area.
I hope this wil give you some ideas...
ps: do you have a phone running android?
Thanks for the route update through the national park. It only adds 1:30 to the journey so well worth the detour (may do the longer route next year in the Tuscan). Not using an Android but one of the later TomToms. For each section of the route I have created a GPX file (using Google Maps and http://www.gpsvisualizer.com). I have uploaded these files onto the TomTom and can access them through "My Routes". Will also be taking print outs of all the routes in case of TomTom issues.https://www.viamichelin.fr/ then zoom in some place in france and it appears on the right of your screen "retrouvez la carte michelin" where you can clic and have a proper michelin map.
for the part after epinal, I changed a bit to give you much better sceneries and nicer roads, but i's quite a longer way.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
and if you have a bit more time, this one is woth the extra road
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Circuit+du+Reims...
it goes towards Colmar (very cute old center town) and then take the "route des vins" (wine's road if I try any translation), the road going through wineyards, crossing very cute villages like Eguisheim (I think ranked among the prettiest village in France if I'm not wrong) or Gueberschwihr, all with very particular architecture typical from Elsass and you can visit some wine producers (very famous white wine in the region). Perhaps at this season you might see some storks. This region is lovely at this season.
the second part in the alps, I would need the previous step to help you. The one you sent is too much in the south of France, I don't really know the places there. I'm located more in Grenoble area.
I hope this wil give you some ideas...
ps: do you have a phone running android?
For the Grenoble area this is my planned route so far -
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
Thanks for your help with the route planning.
Edited by RedRose123 on Sunday 27th May 13:08
so I added some great roads near genoble and at the end before Castellane. However I think it would be preferable to fully enjoy the roads and sceneries you'll be crossing to split it into two days to avoid a bit more the french motorways (quite expensive and often boring drivingwhile seeing nothing of the places you cross :-( but very fine if you need to rush).
So I can suggest this version, trying to escape the busy road between monestier de clermont and lus la croix haute where you'll find lots of camper vans, caravans and tourists heading South, quite difficult to overtake on this section as well. I added instead teh pass between Séchiliennes and la Morte, which is usually not busy but one of the finest driving road around to my mind, then very nice scenery heading down the mountain.
then crossing the devoluy mountain, which is completely different atmosphere from the previous places you've crossed earlier.
And finally, a must do before reaching your destination is the Verdon canyon. that road is dramatic!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or a bit shorter version of the Verdon canyon
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or this version a bit different where you do not cross grenoble but the Vercors mountain.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
no point of taking the A49 motorway too much since the D1532 is nice to use (almost 90 kph all along, easy to overtake) and setting among wallnut trees forests (nuts, noix in French,are famous in that region). If you wanna find some good quality nut oil (not sure about the proper english word), you have lots of producers along that road. Then go up towards pont en royans, famous for it's houses "hanging" above the river, you'll be surrounded by high limestones cliffs there, then heading South and going down the Rousset pass. A very fine road indeed as well with beautiful scenery all the way down. Arriving in Die which is well know for its "clairette", kind of champagne/ sparkling white wine. From there you can start feeling you're arriving in the "South" of France, getting closer to the Provence region, with architecture and vegetation becoming very different.
The end in Verdon Canyon is either that way of the first one above.
Ifever you split this stage into two days, I can add you some stuff ;-)
I was asking about android because there is an app running on android called Camsam which is quite usefull here ( I don't know if it's used as well in the UK?) by telling you when you're approaching a speed camera (most of the fixed ones, and many mobile ones)
I hope I didn't mess too much in your trip planning!
So I can suggest this version, trying to escape the busy road between monestier de clermont and lus la croix haute where you'll find lots of camper vans, caravans and tourists heading South, quite difficult to overtake on this section as well. I added instead teh pass between Séchiliennes and la Morte, which is usually not busy but one of the finest driving road around to my mind, then very nice scenery heading down the mountain.
then crossing the devoluy mountain, which is completely different atmosphere from the previous places you've crossed earlier.
And finally, a must do before reaching your destination is the Verdon canyon. that road is dramatic!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or a bit shorter version of the Verdon canyon
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or this version a bit different where you do not cross grenoble but the Vercors mountain.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
no point of taking the A49 motorway too much since the D1532 is nice to use (almost 90 kph all along, easy to overtake) and setting among wallnut trees forests (nuts, noix in French,are famous in that region). If you wanna find some good quality nut oil (not sure about the proper english word), you have lots of producers along that road. Then go up towards pont en royans, famous for it's houses "hanging" above the river, you'll be surrounded by high limestones cliffs there, then heading South and going down the Rousset pass. A very fine road indeed as well with beautiful scenery all the way down. Arriving in Die which is well know for its "clairette", kind of champagne/ sparkling white wine. From there you can start feeling you're arriving in the "South" of France, getting closer to the Provence region, with architecture and vegetation becoming very different.
The end in Verdon Canyon is either that way of the first one above.
Ifever you split this stage into two days, I can add you some stuff ;-)
I was asking about android because there is an app running on android called Camsam which is quite usefull here ( I don't know if it's used as well in the UK?) by telling you when you're approaching a speed camera (most of the fixed ones, and many mobile ones)
I hope I didn't mess too much in your trip planning!
clemoug said:
so I added some great roads near genoble and at the end before Castellane. However I think it would be preferable to fully enjoy the roads and sceneries you'll be crossing to split it into two days to avoid a bit more the french motorways (quite expensive and often boring drivingwhile seeing nothing of the places you cross :-( but very fine if you need to rush).
So I can suggest this version, trying to escape the busy road between monestier de clermont and lus la croix haute where you'll find lots of camper vans, caravans and tourists heading South, quite difficult to overtake on this section as well. I added instead teh pass between Séchiliennes and la Morte, which is usually not busy but one of the finest driving road around to my mind, then very nice scenery heading down the mountain.
then crossing the devoluy mountain, which is completely different atmosphere from the previous places you've crossed earlier.
And finally, a must do before reaching your destination is the Verdon canyon. that road is dramatic!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or a bit shorter version of the Verdon canyon
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or this version a bit different where you do not cross grenoble but the Vercors mountain.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
no point of taking the A49 motorway too much since the D1532 is nice to use (almost 90 kph all along, easy to overtake) and setting among wallnut trees forests (nuts, noix in French,are famous in that region). If you wanna find some good quality nut oil (not sure about the proper english word), you have lots of producers along that road. Then go up towards pont en royans, famous for it's houses "hanging" above the river, you'll be surrounded by high limestones cliffs there, then heading South and going down the Rousset pass. A very fine road indeed as well with beautiful scenery all the way down. Arriving in Die which is well know for its "clairette", kind of champagne/ sparkling white wine. From there you can start feeling you're arriving in the "South" of France, getting closer to the Provence region, with architecture and vegetation becoming very different.
The end in Verdon Canyon is either that way of the first one above.
Ifever you split this stage into two days, I can add you some stuff ;-)
I was asking about android because there is an app running on android called Camsam which is quite usefull here ( I don't know if it's used as well in the UK?) by telling you when you're approaching a speed camera (most of the fixed ones, and many mobile ones)
I hope I didn't mess too much in your trip planning!
Option one looks the best for me. TomTom has been updated. After the 09:30 mins drive to Gorges Du Verdon, have planned a rest day to explore the canyon involving a short 02:20 mins drive around the Canyon followed by some kind of activity (kayaking, climbing, walking, etc). Following day, off to Monaco to hopefully see lots of super cars. So I can suggest this version, trying to escape the busy road between monestier de clermont and lus la croix haute where you'll find lots of camper vans, caravans and tourists heading South, quite difficult to overtake on this section as well. I added instead teh pass between Séchiliennes and la Morte, which is usually not busy but one of the finest driving road around to my mind, then very nice scenery heading down the mountain.
then crossing the devoluy mountain, which is completely different atmosphere from the previous places you've crossed earlier.
And finally, a must do before reaching your destination is the Verdon canyon. that road is dramatic!
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or a bit shorter version of the Verdon canyon
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
or this version a bit different where you do not cross grenoble but the Vercors mountain.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/3+Rue+du+Stade,+...
no point of taking the A49 motorway too much since the D1532 is nice to use (almost 90 kph all along, easy to overtake) and setting among wallnut trees forests (nuts, noix in French,are famous in that region). If you wanna find some good quality nut oil (not sure about the proper english word), you have lots of producers along that road. Then go up towards pont en royans, famous for it's houses "hanging" above the river, you'll be surrounded by high limestones cliffs there, then heading South and going down the Rousset pass. A very fine road indeed as well with beautiful scenery all the way down. Arriving in Die which is well know for its "clairette", kind of champagne/ sparkling white wine. From there you can start feeling you're arriving in the "South" of France, getting closer to the Provence region, with architecture and vegetation becoming very different.
The end in Verdon Canyon is either that way of the first one above.
Ifever you split this stage into two days, I can add you some stuff ;-)
I was asking about android because there is an app running on android called Camsam which is quite usefull here ( I don't know if it's used as well in the UK?) by telling you when you're approaching a speed camera (most of the fixed ones, and many mobile ones)
I hope I didn't mess too much in your trip planning!
The roads around Verdon are indeed fantastic. A word of warning though: last time I drove around Castellane, there were police doing speed checks, and couple of hidden cameras too. Well worth having Waze running on your phone when driving there as they'll confiscate your car if you're found doing considerably over the limit, which is easily done around those parts.
RedRose123 said:
Option one looks the best for me. TomTom has been updated. After the 09:30 mins drive to Gorges Du Verdon, have planned a rest day to explore the canyon involving a short 02:20 mins drive around the Canyon followed by some kind of activity (kayaking, climbing, walking, etc). Following day, off to Monaco to hopefully see lots of super cars.
In addition to the traditional car spotting places in Monaco, I would advice to have a look there:https://www.google.fr/maps/@43.7382378,7.418611,3a...
very cute garage with amazing classics inside (cars displayed inside are changing every few days), stored in a place like a cave. I used to work in Monaco for some months and I was stopping there very often on my way back from work. Each time new surprises for me (from bugatti type 35 to ferarri F40, F430 scuderia, ex Stoner's ducatti desmoceidici,stratos...) and the owner was very welcoming towards "tourists" like me ( I mean I was obviously not there to buy any of their treasure!)
clemoug said:
In addition to the traditional car spotting places in Monaco, I would advice to have a look there:
https://www.google.fr/maps/@43.7382378,7.418611,3a...
very cute garage with amazing classics inside (cars displayed inside are changing every few days), stored in a place like a cave. I used to work in Monaco for some months and I was stopping there very often on my way back from work. Each time new surprises for me (from bugatti type 35 to ferarri F40, F430 scuderia, ex Stoner's ducatti desmoceidici,stratos...) and the owner was very welcoming towards "tourists" like me ( I mean I was obviously not there to buy any of their treasure!)
Thanks, I'll take a look when I'm in Monaco.https://www.google.fr/maps/@43.7382378,7.418611,3a...
very cute garage with amazing classics inside (cars displayed inside are changing every few days), stored in a place like a cave. I used to work in Monaco for some months and I was stopping there very often on my way back from work. Each time new surprises for me (from bugatti type 35 to ferarri F40, F430 scuderia, ex Stoner's ducatti desmoceidici,stratos...) and the owner was very welcoming towards "tourists" like me ( I mean I was obviously not there to buy any of their treasure!)
Hi Folks
Resurrecting this thread for some suggestions. I was watching Floyd on France the other evening after a few wines and thought it'd be pretty cool to amble around France in a convertible going through sleepy villages, eating too much and drinking.
Wondering if that type of France still exists and if anyone has recommendations of where to visit? I'm not really looking for the ultimate B road but I'd love to avoid motorways and visit quaint traditional watering holes over a week or two. I've got a nice convertible R129 SL that I think could be perfect for wafting around and getting a sunburn.
Any ideas or times of year to avoid would be really welcome!
Cheers
Cam
Resurrecting this thread for some suggestions. I was watching Floyd on France the other evening after a few wines and thought it'd be pretty cool to amble around France in a convertible going through sleepy villages, eating too much and drinking.
Wondering if that type of France still exists and if anyone has recommendations of where to visit? I'm not really looking for the ultimate B road but I'd love to avoid motorways and visit quaint traditional watering holes over a week or two. I've got a nice convertible R129 SL that I think could be perfect for wafting around and getting a sunburn.
Any ideas or times of year to avoid would be really welcome!
Cheers
Cam
I hadn't visited France for 25 years and within a few hours of getting off the ferry I understood that that "type of France" very much still exists because the French keep it that way. How good to be in a country people are actually proud of!
I'm still reacquainting myself with the country, but for me I'd be getting the ferry to St Malo in May and wandering down towards Nantes and east along the Loire aiming for Burgundy, onto the Alps, Ardeche, Auvergne, Dordogne and a wander back. Only grumble with that plan would be missing Reims, Mulhouse and the Alsace region out as I enjoy the food and wine from there.
I'm still reacquainting myself with the country, but for me I'd be getting the ferry to St Malo in May and wandering down towards Nantes and east along the Loire aiming for Burgundy, onto the Alps, Ardeche, Auvergne, Dordogne and a wander back. Only grumble with that plan would be missing Reims, Mulhouse and the Alsace region out as I enjoy the food and wine from there.
French chap who keeps an incredibly rich blog of his explorations in a convertible: https://z4du34.com/
It's in French, but is perfectly digestible via Google Translate.
It's in French, but is perfectly digestible via Google Translate.
kindly help me with some roads and schedules for our first France trip.
1st set is 3 days- Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Starting on Friday 5 am from Dunkirk and ending on Sunday 6 pm at Calais.
On these days wife wants to be around Paris and request roads and sections there. The Eiffel Tower and some iconic places are a must. The car would be parked at the hotel and daily pas would be taken for city commute.
2nd and 3rd sets are from Saturday 5 am to Sunday 6 pm. So that's 2 separate weekends with no plans at all.
I would prefer to travel via Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands on 1 weekend and do just France on another but without anywhere near Paris. Please suggest some French villages, roads, and also for Belgium, and Netherlands places. Most of the favourite French routes seem to be in southern France which takes more than 10 hours to reach which is not suitable for a 2 day trip.
I'm setting a limit of 6 hours of maximum drive in a day as my wife doesn't like such very long drives. Saturday night stay would be selected wherever the 6-hour drive takes and Sunday would be a return drive to the ferry terminal.
Thank you
1st set is 3 days- Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Starting on Friday 5 am from Dunkirk and ending on Sunday 6 pm at Calais.
On these days wife wants to be around Paris and request roads and sections there. The Eiffel Tower and some iconic places are a must. The car would be parked at the hotel and daily pas would be taken for city commute.
2nd and 3rd sets are from Saturday 5 am to Sunday 6 pm. So that's 2 separate weekends with no plans at all.
I would prefer to travel via Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands on 1 weekend and do just France on another but without anywhere near Paris. Please suggest some French villages, roads, and also for Belgium, and Netherlands places. Most of the favourite French routes seem to be in southern France which takes more than 10 hours to reach which is not suitable for a 2 day trip.
I'm setting a limit of 6 hours of maximum drive in a day as my wife doesn't like such very long drives. Saturday night stay would be selected wherever the 6-hour drive takes and Sunday would be a return drive to the ferry terminal.
Thank you
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